Battlefield Lyari: What is going on?

Residents remain divided as KRC voices its backing for the operation.

KARACHI:

As the residents and supporters of the banned Peoples Amn Committee (PAC) continued to protest, daily life and business activities in Lyari were put on hold. Clashes between the protesters and the authorities did not help improve matters either.

The protest is a result of the scuffle between law enforcement personnel and PAC supporters which took place on Monday after more a dozen PAC men were arrested. The police operation was carried out on the orders of the Interior Minister Rehman Malik, after Katchi Rabta Committee (KRC) leader Rasheed Kutchi was gunned down in Agra Taj Colony on Sunday.

PAC’s leader Zafar Baloch, Sikandar Sakku and Omar Kutchi were nominated in the KRC leader’s murder case. This sparked protests and PAC supporters claimed that the operation was one-sided. The protesters believe that uninvolved PAC men were being arrested and their football stadium had been sealed unnecessarily.

On Thursday night, at around 11 pm, the law enforcers and PAC supporters had a clash which continued till 5:30 pm on Friday. Protests were carried out in Saifee Lane, D D Chaudhry Road, Kamaila Stop, Khadda Market, Nayabad, Daryabad, Aath Chowk and Lea Market. The authorities were not able to enter the area and were pelted with stones and over two dozen petrol bombs. They retaliated by aerial firing and using teargas. Masked men, between the ages of 16 and 30, stood among the protesters and attacked the authorities.

Residents claim that the PAC men were using some of them as a shield, and were forcing them to participate in the protests or be prepared to face dire consequences.

According to one resident, no operation was being carried out in Lyari. “This is all being done by the government and PAC,” he said. “They have some sort of deal going on. Elections are about to take place and the Pakistan Peoples Party wants votes to win.” People in Kumbharwara, Chakiwara and Bihar Colony claim that the operation was just being put on for a show and nothing was being done. “Some people showed up on Al-Falah and Masjid Road on Thursday night,” said a resident. “They started to burn tyres and escaped before anyone got there.”

However, other demonstrators claim that they would continue to protest. “They should thank their lucky stars that we are just throwing stones and petrol bombs,” said a protestor. “We are not afraid of the police.”

On Friday the police detained one dozen protesters and took them to an undisclosed location for questioning.

According to Lyari Town SP Nasir Aftab, there was a targeted operation being carried out in the area. He said that around 30 people, including 15 PAC supporters, were arrested.

While talking to The Express Tribune, PAC leader Uzair Baloch said that the police was responsible for upsetting the law and order situation in Lyari. He added that it was forcing them to get out on the streets and protest. “We are not firing, they [the police] are,” he said. “They should remove the police and send in Rangers. The president of Pakistan should think about Lyari and its people. He should change the MNAs and MPAs.” He added that the situation in the area was deteriorating because of the political situation.The KRC has announced that if the operation does not have the desired effect by March 30, they would organise a long march in protest. “So far we are satisfied with the operation,” said KRC leader Hussain Kutchi. “Why will the people resist the operation? Only the criminals are afraid of it.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2012.